Shekhar Dutt has resigned as Chhattisgarh Governor
In the new government's drive to shake off its predecessor UPA's appointees, another governor has resigned. Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt became the second to bow out after his UP counterpart
BL Joshi quit on Tuesday.
"The Governor submitted his resignation papers to President Pranab Mukherjee last night in New Delhi," Mr Dutt's office confirmed today. His term was to end in January next year.
He is among a series of governors who have received phone calls from Home Secretary Anil Goswami soliciting their resignation. (
Opinion: Why Governors Are In BJP's Firing Line)
Yesterday, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan said he had received two such calls, but would not contemplate resigning unless asked by "an appropriate decision-making authority." (
As Modi Government Tries to Force Exits, Governors Push Back)
The Home Secretary also called Sheila Dikshit, who was posted as Kerala governor by the outgoing government after she led the Congress to a crushing defeat in the December Delhi election. She was non-committal. (
In Governors vs Government, Spotlight on Sheila Dikshit)
Assam Governor JB Patnaik, who met Home Minister Rajnath Singh today, vehemently denied that he was resigning.
"How many times do I have to say that I am not resigning?" Mr Patnaik told reporters.
Margaret Alva and MK Narayanan, governors of Rajasthan and West Bengal, are reportedly among those the new government wants to send on their way. Mr Narayanan has said he has not resigned "yet"; Ms Alva's office said that in a meeting with the PM in Delhi, she was not asked to quit.
Opposition parties like the Congress and the Samajwadi Party say the BJP is violating a 2010 Supreme Court judgement that "governors cannot be removed in an arbitrary and capricious manner with the change of power." (
Opinion - The Governors Issue: 'Congress, Please Calm Down')